Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-20

The Lie Given 10 Secretary HBalf0ur I'm
the House Of COnmMaOMs.
EXCITING DISCUSSION OVER THE GOVERNMENTS 20.
TIoN-vIEws OF THE IRISH LEADERS.

Mr.. Balfour, chief secretary for ireland, an
nounced in the house OF commons yesterday that
the government had proclaimed the Irish National
League. He said the league was proclaimed as .
dangerous association under section OF the Irish
crimes act amendment bill recently made law.
Continuing, Mr.. Balfour said: There are two sub
heads OF the sixth section OF the act mentioned In
the proclamation which declare follows:
'Whereas We satisfied that there exists In Ire
land an association known as the Irish National
League, which in parts OF Ireland promotes and
incites acts OF violence and intimidation"
A Voice: 'It's a lie. No branch OF the league is
engaged IN such work"
Mr.. Harrington asked whether Mr.. Baifour was
aware that nearly all the branches OF the league
were engaged In registration work; whether he
knew that the league was the only association OPP
posed 70 the conservatives I'm that work, and
Whether the proclamation was intended TO para
lyze the Efforts OF the league TO the advantage OF
the conservatives on the new register. Mr.. Bal
four replied that no branch OF the league confined
TO registration would be impeded In It's work. Re
plying further to Mr.. Sexton Mr. Balfour said that
until the viceroy issued an order regarding par
ucular district the proclamation would have no
force.
EXCITED DISCUSSION IN THE LoBBIEs.
The proclailning OF the league was the subject OF
excited discussion In the lobbies OF parliament
last evening. GadstOnians assert that the gov
ernment is unjust and imprudent In proclaiming
the league. The Parnellites say that the govern
ment wish to create trouble and outrage In Ireland
during the coming winter; that the proclamation
will force the EXTREMIST measures or the league 10
the 'front.' and that the government Will shortly
bitterly repent their action. All the Important
documents OF the league have been removed from
the headquarters In Dublin.
WHAT MIR. PARNELL sAYa
Mr.. Parnell, In an Interview, said that the ac-
tion OF the government In proclaiming the league
was gratuitous insult TO the Irish, considering
the present condition OF Ireland. IL was merely
a move TO cover the weakness VI the land bill IL
the bill did not protect tenants from eviction
trouble would be inevitable during the coming
winter.
In order to emphasize their indignation a NUM-
Der OF liberal members or the house OF commons
papers appeared with black borders last evening.
The announcement OF the proclamation was re-
twenty-sx new members Joined the league Mr.
Chamberlain and Mr.. T. w. Russell have With
drawn from the unionist party In consequence OF
the proclaiming or the Irish National League by
the government.
Messrs. Parnell, Dillon, oBrien Harrington and
other nationasts started for Dublin last evening.
Some OF them will return TO assist I'm the debate
on Thursday, when Mr. Gladstone Will move an
address to the crown denouncing the proclamation
OF the league. Most Of the liberals welcome The
action OF the government, on the ground that IL
win tend TO hasten the Gladstonian reaction In
the house or commons Will proceed TO Ireland 10
prove their sympathy with the league The tories
pe pe Tne SSer u the @
the governments action.
VIEWS OF IRISH LEADERS.
In an interview concerning the proclamation OF
the league Nj. VIM. O'Brlen SAID: "Ine proclaua-
tion as 1t stands Will not impede the work OF the
league. / regard IL a better indication OF the
hopeless position OF the government than even the
Northwich election. II is significant that the
league was not proclaimed under the sections Of
the crimes bill relating 10 crime or association 70
commit crime. The government have placed
themselves in this position: IL they do nothing
further they Will be laughed al, and II they 90
proceed In the matter they Will antagonize public
opinion in Great Britain. Whatever they DO tney
are poweriess, because the league means the Inso
people"
Mr.. Sexton expressed himself on the same SUD
tect as follows: "The league was proclalmeo un.
der clauses which the government did not ALLOW
to be discussed In the house Of commons ins
action will have the effect OF clarifying the poutl-
cal atmosphere. Lord Harrington VIII propaoy
throw his lot with the conservatives wnlle Nj.
Chamberlain may return to the literal party. Inc
government are answerable for destroying the
leagues power OF restraint" ,- "a.
Nh Harr1nQtop secretary OF the league, said:
ssThe action OF the government is idle display II
they 20 further our men Will continue 70 work. !
myself am going Dublin tonight TO take chargt
there The government policy VIII undeniaoy
sfrengfben the liberals OF Great Brltain.n
Mr DfIlon said that the proclamation had been
expected for weeks and would not disturb thk
league.